Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I took a look around me and thought that I should represent the Yukon a bit. Well, from a distance it looks like our mountains our covered in a lush forest.

However, our growing season is very short, add in a permafrost layer, and we're left with bushes and scrubby trees with very shallow root systems (big wind comes along, we're always losing trees). The only green part of the trees are the top half.

So I took one of my favourite bushes, the high mountain cranberry bush, to make my first block. Around here you do not go berry picking without the bear spray and a bonker of some kind. And make lots of noise! I chose the cranberry as the blueberry bushes just lay on the ground and you need to crawl to pick...with the cranberry bushes you can stand. Always a bonus.

Then I decided for my second block to use a baby tree. Our ground is rocky so I appliqued some rocks in place and then stitched two baby trees. This is how they look until they get to be about 4 feet tall. At that point they grow their trunks thicker and then sprout, filling out the top part later.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. For those with snow, keep warm; for those with lots of rain keep dry and those of us that may have sunshine, remember the sunblock.
I hope everyone has a wonderful time with family and friends, however you choose to spend it.
looking forward to the year ahead and the fun we will have.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Hello my friends
This week I have worked on trees for Sue. After thinking for a few weeks I decided to go along the applique path.

My pattern is based on an antique applique quilt (circa 1840 - 1850) from Westchester County, New York and published in the 1988 Quilt Engagement Calendar - the original was sewn in indigo blue.

These were needleturn appliqued using a batik fabric with a leaf pattern in shades of apple green and pale jacaranda. Sue, they will be winging their way westward to you tomorrow. I do hope you like my contribution.